Methods and apparatus wherein multiple simultaneous entries to a single game of chance are eligible for awards based on both matching and non-matching symbols

ABSTRACT

A system and process for generating, distributing and processing entries to a game of chance (e.g. a lottery, lotto, or other Game of chance), based on the fact that a player has the ability to play multiple wagers simultaneously in one combined and simultaneous entry. For each individual wager played, the win/loss status of the wager is determined based on the number of matching selections. If a player decides to play multiple simultaneous wagers in one entry, an additional win/loss status for the combined entry (if eligible) is determined based on the number of nonmatching selections. Wagers and entries are appropriately priced, and are validated at the point of sale by a central controller in which the entry information is stored. Subsequent to each closing of the game of chance (e.g. lottery drawing), the winning selection of symbols is compared to the wagers and entries in a central database to determine the maximum number of matches among the individual wagers, and the minimum number of matches among the combined entries. Winning wagers and entries are appropriately identified. A methodology to price wagers and combined, simultaneous entries is provided. A method and apparatus are further provided whereby a participant in the game of chance may query the win status of a wager or entry.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to games of chance such as alottery, lotto, or other game of chance, and more specifically tomethods and apparatus for generating and processing entries to suchgames of chance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gambling and games of chance represent a significant business In the USand in other developed countries. In the US alone, approximately 40states operate lotteries, which generate over $30 billion of revenueeach year. For many states, revenue from these lotteries has come torepresent a significant income for the respective state budgets. Inaddition, gambling at casinos, racetracks and on reservations of NativeAmericans also represents a significant business, regulated and taxed atthe state, federal or local level.

A typical state lottery system consists of a number of different games,including lotteries and lottery-style Games (e.g. “PowerBall”),bingo-style Games (e.g. “Keno”), as well as instant Games (e.g. “scratchTickets”). A central authority, which is either directly run by thestate or government licensed, operates the games and manages centraloperations. This central authority works with a number of resellers andauthorized sales outlets (e.g. convenience stores, gas stations, liquorstores, etc.) with remote terminals. Resellers receive a commission onsales. The player of a lottery-style game generally visits one of thoseresellers to purchase a wager. A wager can consist of either specificnumbers selected by the player (e.g. on sense mark forms), or throughnumbers randomly generated by a terminal on behalf of the player (oftenreferred to as “Quick Picks”). Also the player can play individualwagers or multiple wagers at once in a combined entry (e.g. fivePowerBall wagers in one entry). Furthermore, some states and someEuropean countries allow the player to purchase an entry (with one ormultiple wagers), which is valid for a series of drawings. These entriesvalid for multiple drawings are sometimes referred to as“subscriptions”. Finally, in some instances state lotteries and otheroperators of games of chance have implemented the possibility forplayers to purchase entries over the Internet. Remote terminals at thesites of resellers are generally linked to a central server of theauthority managing the game via a direct telecommunications link. Anyentry purchased at a remote terminal is usually communicated to thecentral server. A confirmation (ticket) is printed locally. Often, theticket is identified with a unique number and a bar code. This laterallows the player to present the ticket at any relate outlet and findout if it was a winning entry.

One example of a typical lottery-style game is often referred to as“6/49”, where six winning numbers are selected out of 49 possiblenumbers. In this basic form, the odds of selecting the winning sixnumbers are 1 in 13,983,816. Defining one of the six selections as abonus number reduces the odds to 1 in 2,230,636. Other possible gamesused in US state lotteries are 6 out of 53 (California), 6 out of 44(Virginia) and 6 out of 54 (New York). The payout of lottery-style gamesis calculated as total revenue, minus reseller commissions, statetreasury duties, operating costs and possible charitable contributions.In most lottery games, 3 matching numbers represent a small payoutreceived by the payer. This payout increases for 4 and 5 matchingnumbers. But the most significant portion of the payout is usuallyreserved for 6 matching numbers (or 5 matching numbers with a matchingbonus numbers). This “jackpot” is usually progressive, i.e. if no playerhas six matching numbers in one drawing, the jackpot increasesaccordingly in subsequent drawings.

Some lottery-style games have offered “consolation awards.” Examplesinclude games of the Pennsylvania and Missouri state lotteries, but alsolotteries organized by corporations such as banks for a limited numberof customers or members. Typically, these consolation awards representan opportunity for an entry in a subsequent drawing or another game ofchance, or an opportunity to win a non-cash award, such as a productoffered by a promotional sponsor. As such, these consolation awards aregenerally considered as having a very limited “value” in the eyes of theplayers. In some instances the consolation awards (or the opportunity towin them) are offered to all players (irrespective of whether the entrywas a winning entry or not). This would include lottery games with“coupons” for non-ash prizes on the back. In other instances,consolation awards are only offered to non-winning entries. One exampleof the latter type of consolation award is a daily lottery game recentlyintroduced by the UK national lottery. The game consists of selecting 7numbers from a list of 27. In this instance, if none of the 7 numbersselected by a, player matches the winning 7 numbers, the player gets afree entry in the subsequent drawing.

Several systems exist to enable players to win (or have a chance to win)even if an initial entry did not result in a payout. U.S. Pat. No.5,186,463 to Macin et al. teaches a system and method by which a lotteryplayer may purchase a lottery wager, which is applied to multipledrawings until a jackpot award is awarded. U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,477 toWalker et al. teaches a system and process by which a lottery wagerremains eligible for an award until it becomes a winning wager. In bothsystems, however, the ultimate payout is based on the odds of matchingsymbols.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,408 to Walker et al. teaches a system and methodwhereby players participating in a primary lottery drawing (e.g. througha plurality of wagers) may elect to participate in a second, orderivative lottery drawing (a “meta-game”). This patent mentions oneembodiment where the odds of winning in this second game may be relatedto the odds of losing in the primary game. It does not, however, teach asystem to provide payouts to both matching and non-matching entries inthe same game.

In summary, to the best of the applicant's knowledge, all lottery-stylegames of chance provide payouts exclusively calculated based on the oddsof matching a certain number of winning symbols. This makes sense,because payouts based on the odds of non-matching numbers would beuneconomical or too small to be attractive: the odds of selecting sixnumbers out of 49, where none of those six matches the winning sixnumbers of the drawing, are fairly high, and thus the potential payoutnecessarily fairly low. Not surprisingly, consolation awards given tonon-matching entries (if any) are either small, or based on non-cashawards, or related to subsequent drawings, or to related games (or acombination of the above).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and system by which playersparticipating in a game of chance (e.g. a lottery, lotto, bingo, orother game of chance) have a chance of winning an award based on eitherthe number of matching symbols, or based on the number of non-matchingsymbols, all within the same game.

The odds of winning based on matching symbols are well known and used inpractice in many US state lotteries and other games of chance. In atypical lottery-style game, the odds of selecting the correct 6 symbolsout of 49 possible symbols in one individual wager are very small, andthus the corresponding award (jackpot) is very high—certainly attractiveenough in the eyes of the players to encourage them to play the wager.

The odds of selecting six non-matching symbols out of 49 (i.e., theplayer selects six symbols and none of them corresponds to any of thesix winning symbols) are fairly high if they are calculated based on oneindividual wager. Hence, no game of chance known to the applicant hasoffered a significant award based on the odds of non-matching symbols(other than consolation prizes and maybe the possibility of entering ina subsequent drawing). However, at the core of the present invention isthe concept of considering multiple, simultaneous wagers as one jointentry. This dramatically changes the odds and enables the operator ofthe game of chance to offer an award based on the odds of non-matchingsymbols. An example would be somebody playing ten wagers simultaneously,each time picking 6 symbols out of a possible 49. The odds that none ofthose 60 symbols selected match any of the 6 winning symbols are fairlylow, allowing for an award of significant value in the eyes of theplayers. The result would be an encouragement of players to participateto a larger degree with simultaneous wagers, thus potentially increasingrevenue for the operator of the game of chance.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the option ofplaying multiple, simultaneous wagers already exists in many U.S. statelotteries and other games of chance through so-called “Quick-pick”entries of randomly selected entries. A lottery authority couldtherefore implement the method and system described in the presentinvention to compare all the entries of such a joint Quick-pick entryagainst the winning symbols, by adding an additional step—in addition toanalyzing whether individual wagers on the entry contain matchingsymbols, based on the present invention the entire entry with all theselected symbols collectively would also be analyzed to identify thenumber of non-matching symbols. Furthermore, the operator of the game ofchance could implement a scale of payouts and awards based on the numberof simultaneous wagers played on a single entry (representing therelative odds). For example, no matching symbols on a five-wagerQuick-pick entry would likely represent a fairly small award; nomatching symbols on a ten-wager Quick-pick entry would represent alarger payout; and no matching symbols on a 25-wager Quick-pick entrycould represent an even larger payout. Depending on the exact nature ofthe game (6 out of 49 or 54, with or without bonus number), the payoutfor non-matching symbols on a simultaneous 25-wager Quick-pick entrywould be comparable to the payout for six matching symbols on anindividual wager (all within the same lottery game).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the same methodologycould be applied to multiple drawings. For example, a player purchasing(in advance) an entry of one individual wager, valid for ten subsequentdrawings, could be eligible for an award based on non-matching symbolsat the end of those ten drawings if none of his or her numbers match anyof the winning symbols of the ten drawings. As in the above example, theentry of the player is eligible for winning awards both based onmatching symbols (for each drawing individually) and based onnon-matching symbols (for all ten drawings jointly). Again, as above,this system of awards based on matching and non-matching selectionscould be introduced by the operator without actually introducing a newgame of chance.

These and other advantages and features of the present invention willbecome apparent, and the nature of the invention may be more clearlyunderstood by reference to the following detailed description of theinvention, the claims and the drawings appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system and apparatus consistent with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting one embodiment of the controllershown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a table illustrating an exemplary data structure of a pricedatabase, as shown on FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a table illustrating an exemplary data structure of an Entriesdatabase, as shown on FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a table illustrating an exemplary data structure of a Wagersdatabase, as shown on FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a table illustrating an exemplary data structure of a winningsymbols database, as shown on FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a table illustrating an exemplary data structure of an awardsdatabase, as shown on FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a set of steps for operating a gameof chance consistent with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a set of steps for registeringEntries to and payments for a game of chance consistent with the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a set of steps for calculatingawards in a game of chance consistent with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a set of steps for processing awardspayouts in a game of chance consistent with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a graphic illustration of the probability distribution of atraditional game of chance compared to the two-tailed probabilitydistribution of a game of chance consistent with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Unless modified by other language or otherwise indicated herein, thefollowing definitions apply. The term “game of chance” identifies alottery in which (1) players select or are randomly assigned a number(n) play symbols, (2) a number of determinant play symbols are randomlydrawn or selected under the direction of the party operating thelottery, and (c) the players are determined to be winners or losersaccording to the results of a comparison of the play symbols theyselected or were assigned and the determinant play symbols drawn orselected under the direction of the party operating the lottery. Theterm “Game” means one playing or drawing of the game of chance. The term“Wager” means one bet (i.e., a player's selection or assignment of nplay symbols) in the game of chance. The term “Entry” means one wager ortwo or more wagers played simultaneously by a player. The term “Ticket”means a tangible or electronic confirmation of an entry. The term “playsymbols” means numbers but can also take other forms, e.g., letters,colors, shapes, pictures, etc. The term “player” means a party whoparticipates by wagering In the game of chance.

A traditional game of chance, such as for example a U.S. state lotterygame, provides payouts only based on the probability of matchingsymbols. In a typical “6 out of 49” lottery game, the player has toselect 6 numbers out of a possible 49 (an individual Wager. The lotteryoperator then randomly draws 6 winning numbers. Given that the odds ofmatching 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 numbers decrease exponentially, the payoutsassociated with each of those win statuses increase exponentially aswell. Providing payouts for the event of non-matching symbols is noteconomical for a single Wager. The odds of a player selecting 6 symbolsin a single Wager, none of which ends up matching the 6 winning symbols,are fairly high. Consequently, the related payout is very low, in mostcases too low to provide an incentive to play the game of chance. In apreferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes this drawback byproviding a system, method and apparatus whereby multiple simultaneousWagers are considered as a combined entry (an “Entry”). While the oddsof selecting non-matching symbols for a single Wager are fairly high,those odds decrease exponentially for Entries comprising 5, 10, 15, 20or 25 Wagers. Thus, the operator of a game of chance can offeradditional incentives to players, increase the likelihood that playerswill play multiple simultaneous Wagers, and increase overallparticipation.

While this document will often refer to U.S. state lotteries for thepurposes of illustration, the present invention also relates to othergames of chance where the player has to select a certain number ofsymbols (numbers, letters, colors, shapes, pictures, etc.) out of agiven set of symbols.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system or apparatus consistentwith the present invention. A central controller 20 is used to operatethe game of chance. It is linked either directly or indirectly to anumber of dedicated terminals 22, as well as to a number of remotetelecommunication devices 28. Dedicated terminals can take the form ofspecial lottery terminals, which most lotteries use today in retailoutlets such as convenience-stores or gas stations. They can also takethe form of kiosks, automated teller machines, or other devices. In theexample of a game of chance operated by a company or association for alimited number of members or customers, a dedicated terminal can alsotake the form of a bank counter, sales outlet, or simply a persondedicated to registering entries in verbal or written form.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, dedicated devices 22will have means to input one or several Wagers in the game of chance,relaying those Wagers to the central controller 20, receivingconfirmation back from the controller, recording and/or processing apayment, and outputting a confirmation of the entry via for example aprinter. Inputting Wagers can take the form of manually recording thesymbols selected by the player, inputting the selections via a reader ofsense mark form, randomly generating symbols on behalf of the player, orany other form. Some dedicated devices will only fulfill some of thesefunctions, leaving the operator of the resale outlet to handle others.Dedicated terminals generally also provide functions to check, after thedrawing of winning symbols, whether an Entry is a winner, and processsmall awards payouts on behalf of the operator of the lottery.

Remote telecommunication devices 28 can take the form of personalcomputers, telephones, personal digital assistants, pagers, televisions,public Internet kiosk or other communication devices. Given that thesedevices are remote, payment for entries to the game of chance cannot beprocessed in cash, as it will be in the case of most transactions atdedicated terminals. Therefore, means to process remote payments (suchas via credit cards, debits to authorized accounts, etc.) are necessarywith the use of remote telecommunication devices.

Communications between the controller 20 and either dedicated terminals22 or remote telecommunication devices 28 can occur via regulartelephone lines, wireless communication, satellite, cable connections,dedicated telecommunication lines (e.g. T-1 lines), or any other meansof communication. In another embodiment of the present invention,referring to a smaller game of chance organized by a privateorganization (such as a contest organized by a company, association orclub), such communication can also be verbal or in writing.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an illustration is provided for one embodimentof the controller 20. This controller includes a processor 60, one orseveral memory devices such as a Random Access Memory (RAM) 62, aRead-Only Memory (ROM) 64, or other memory devices not shown here, oneor several input devices 66, one or several output devices 68, one orseveral communications ports 70, as well as one or several data storagedevices 80. The controller 20 can be implemented by using generalpurpose devices readily available in the market and appropriatelyprogrammed, by devising a dedicated hardware circuit, or by any otherhardware and software combination. All the parts of the controller 20may be located within a single device or computer, or they mayalternatively be located in separate devices, linked to each other viadirect communication lines (such as e.g. serial cables), or via indirectcommunication lines (e.g. telephone lines, Internet connections, etc.).

The processor 60 may take the form of one or several microprocessorswell known to those skilled in the art. Ideally, the processor should becapable of handling large volumes of transactions and data. Theinstructions of the program 82 are read into main memory devices 62 and64. By executing the sequences of instructions of this program 82,loaded into the main memory device 62 and/or 64, the processor 60performs the operations described in the methods of the presentinvention. One or several input devices 66, such as a keyboard, mouse,touchpad, microphone and voice recognition software, electronic pen,sense mark form reader, or other device of like purpose is linked to theprocessor 60. Also, one or several output devices such as computerscreens, printers of various forms, etc. are operable to receive outputfrom the processor 60. Communications ports establish connections forinput and output between the central processor 60 and dedicated and/orremote terminals 22 and 28.

The data storage device 80 is central to the operation of the presentinvention. It may take the form of a personal computer, where the datastorage device 80 is a magnetic hard disk contained in the same physicallocation as the processor 60, memories 62 and 64, etc. However, giventhe fact that large lotteries have to operate with significant volumesof data, a likely embodiment of the present invention would include oneor several dedicated servers acting as data storage devices 80. Datastorage devices 80 rely on “computer readable medium”, which can takemultiple forms, including but not limited to: semiconductor memory,magnetic and optical storage disks (e.g. floppy disks, hard disks,CD-ROMs, DVDs), dynamic random access memory, memory chips, cartridgesor sticks, magnetic tape, punch cards, or any other medium that canserve the purpose of providing instructions to the processor 60.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the program 82 stored In thedata storage devices 80 is loaded from a computer-readable medium (suchas a magnetic hard disk) into the main random access memory 62 of thecontroller 20, either via an external communication line (e.g., adedicated telephone line or an Ethernet cable) or via a communicationdevice internal to the computer (e.g. a system bus). The processor 60then retrieves and executes instructions from this program 82. Theprogram 82 may contain a number of distinct modules, e.g. an operatingsystem, a user interface module, a core transactional module, a databaseinterface module, as well as device interface modules.

The data storage device 80 also functions as a storage device for anumber of databases 84: the price database 86, the Entries database 88,the Wagers database 90, the winning symbols database 92, and the awardsdatabase 94. These databases 84 are described in further detail below,in the FIGS. 3-7.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, a number ofalternative arrangements may be implemented besides those depicted inthe figures described above. For example, the program 82 and thedatabases 84 may be stored in separate, dedicated data storage devices.Also, the program 82 could be stored in either the Read-Only memory 64.Finally the databases 84 could be stored partially in the dedicatedterminals 22, with a separate program providing regular updates andsynchronization. Any of those alternate implementations provideembodiments of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 3, table 100 represents a preferred embodiment ofthe price database 86, as it is stored in the data storage device 80(see FIG. 2). The table includes a number of records specifying theprice to be paid for Entries depending on mainly two factors: the numberof Wagers, played simultaneously, and whether or not the Entry iseligible for awards based on “non-matching” selections. These prices andrules are set in advanced, and are published to the players of the gameof chance.

Table 100 includes a number of fields 102 to 108. A “priceidentification number” 102 (e.g., an alphanumeric code or a sequentialnumeric code) serves as a unique reference to each record in thedatabase. The number of simultaneous Wagers played on one Entry 104 isone of the criteria used to determine the price. The indicator (yes/no)whether or not the Entry is eligible and entered for awards based onnon-matching selections 106 is an additional criterion. Finally, thefield “price” 108 defines the price to be paid by the player for therespective Entry.

The following examples illustrate one preferred embodiment of thepresent invention: A player playing one individual Wager cannot qualifyfor awards based on non-matching selection. The price to be paid forthis individual Wager is therefore $1. Similarly, if a player plays 2, 3or 4 simultaneous Wagers on one Entry, the operator of the Game ofchance may still not allow these Entries to qualify for awards based onnon-matching selections. Therefore, the corresponding prices for theseEntries would be $2, $3, and $4. If a player plays 5 simultaneous Wagerson one Entry, the Entry may for the first time qualify for awards basedon non-matching selections. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, theoperator of the game of chance decided to increase the price by $0.50(from $5 to $5.50) for Entries that qualify for awards based onnon-matching selections. The increased price reflects the increased oddsof winning an award.

Alternatively, the operator could decide to leave the price for bothoptions at $5 if the increased volume of participation more than offsetsthe additional awards paid out. Indeed, the price of an Entry can beexpressed as the sum of the prices of all the Wagers included on thisEntry, plus a “delta”. And this delta can obviously be positive, zero,or even negative. A number of algorithms can be used to define thisdelta, or the prices of various Entries. Any of these algorithms willinclude at least the following key variables (and possibly more): (1)the odds of winning awards based on non-matching selections (these areconstant and known to the operator), (2) the award levels set fornon-matching selections (these are at the discretion of the operator),and (3), the likelihood of players increasing their participation byplaying more simultaneous Wagers, and thus generating additional revenuefor the operator. The latter is an experience value that the operatorcan analyze and track on an ongoing basis.

Whether or not the Entry does qualify for awards based on non-matchingselections may depend on various criteria. The operator of the Game ofchance could, for example, decide that only randomly generated Entries(often referred to as Quick-pick Entries) qualify. This eliminates theopportunity of players strategically selecting play symbols in order toincrease their odds. For example a player that enters five simultaneousWagers on one Entry, selecting the same six symbols in all five Wagers,has better odds of winning an award based on non-matching symbols than aplayer with five Wagers on one Entry where all symbols are randomlygenerated. Also, the operator of the game of chance may allow theplayers to select whether or not they want their Entry to qualify forawards based on non-matching selections (e.g. with an additional sensemark entry). For any Entry of five or more Wagers played simultaneously,the option of qualifying for awards based on non-matching symbolsexists, and each time the respective price may or may not depend onwhether or not the Entry does qualify (e.g. price identification number7 and 8).

It is understood by those skilled in the art that the schematicillustration of the database table presented herein is exemplary only,and a number of other arrangements may be employed besides thosesuggested above, if they achieve the same effect of defining a price tobe paid by the player for an Entry based on different criteria. Forexample two separate tables could result in the same effect, whereby onetable identifies the base price to be paid, based on the number ofsimultaneous Wagers (e.g. $5 for five Wagers), and a second tableidentifies a “delta” to be applied if an Entry is eligible and enteredfor awards based on non-matching selections (e.g. $0.50 for entriesbetween 5 and 9 simultaneous Wagers, $0 for entries with 10 simultaneousWagers or more).

Referring now to FIG. 4, table 150 represents a preferred embodiment ofthe Entries database 88, as it is stored in the data storage device 80(see FIG. 2). The table includes a large number of records for eachdrawing of the game of chance, storing data associated with each Entrythat is important for tracking the Entry and for calculating awards tobe paid. Table 150 includes a number of fields 152 to 180. A “ticketidentification number” 152 (e.g., an alphanumeric code or a sequentialnumeric code) serves as a unique reference to each record in thedatabase. The “drawing identification number” 154 associates each Entryto one or several drawings. This field may, for example, take the formof a date or other alphanumeric code. While most Entries in traditionalU.S. state lottery games are associated with one individual drawing, thepossibility of “subscription based” Entries for multiple drawings alsoexists (e.g. an Entry is purchased in advance, with one or severalWagers, valid for the next five drawings). In this case, an alphanumericcode would provide a reference to multiple dates contained in a separatetable.

The “sales date and time” 156 as well as the “selling terminalidentification number” 158 allow the operator of the game of chance totrack Entries. These fields can be used to calculate sales commissions,track collections of prices paid, etc. The “number of Wagers on theEntry” 160 stores how many individual Wagers the player enteredsimultaneously on one Entry, whereby an Entry can represent multipleWagers selected on a sense mark form, or multiple Wagers playedsimultaneously on a Quick-pick Entry, or any other form. The field“entered for non-matching awards” 162 is a yes or no indicator. Forexample, depending on the rules set by the operator of the game ofchance, an entry with five simultaneous Wagers may only qualify forawards based on non-matching selections if they are randomly generated.The “price paid for the Entry” 164 is generated from the table 100 (seeFIG. 3), or through an algorithm linked to table 100. Afield for“customer contact information” 166 may allow the operator of the game ofchance to collect information regarding the customer, for example ane-mail address for Entries generated over the Internet. Alternatively,this field may be substituted by a number of separate fields, eachserving the purpose of specific contact information such as name, firstname, street address, city, telephone number, credit card number,driver's license number, email address, etc. In the field “all symbolson Entry” 168, the system stores all the symbols (e.g. numbers) selectedby the player (or randomly selected on behalf of the player) of all theWagers associated with a given Entry. Duplicate symbols (e.g. numbers)are stored only once in this field. This field is populated through areference to the Wagers database 200, which will be described in furtherdetail below.

The field “awards for matching selections” 170 stores the sum of allawards earned with individual Wagers associated with this Entry. Again,this field is populated through a reference to the Wagers database 200described in further detail below. The field “awards for non-matchingselections” 172 is central to the functioning of the present invention.Once all records are stored in the Entries database 150, and once thedrawing has been closed and the winning symbols have been defined, thenthe system described in the present invention compares the symbols ofeach Entry (field 168) to the winning symbols (in the winning symbolsdatabase 250, field 254, further described below). If none of thesymbols in field 168 match the symbols in field 254, then the systemsstores in field 172 the award as defined in the awards database table300, field 308 (described in further detail below).

The field “total awards” 174 provides a simple addition of fields 170and 172. This is the total award to be paid to the player uponpresentation of the confirmation ticket. The “payment identificationnumber” 176, the “paying terminal identification number” 178, and the“payment date and time” 180 allow the operator of the game of chance totrack payments of awards, providing a basis for the necessary operatingprocedures (e.g. accounting for remaining open claims, processing ofcollections from and payments to sales outlets, etc.).

Referring now to FIG. 5, table 200 represents a preferred embodiment ofthe Wagers database 90, as it is stored in the data storage device 80(see FIG. 2). This table includes a large number of records for eachdrawing of the game of chance, storing data associated with each Wager.There exists a “one-to-many” relationship between the Entries databasetable 150 and the Wagers database table 200, since each record in table150 (i.e. each Entry) is related to one or several records in table 200(i.e. one or several Wagers).

Table 200 includes a number of fields 202 to 212. A “Wageridentification number” 202 (e.g., an alphanumeric code or a sequentialnumeric code) serves as a unique reference to each Wager stored in thedatabase. The “Entry identification number” 204 corresponds to the“Entry identification number” 152 in the Entries database 150, therebycreating a one-to-many relational link between the tables 150 and 200,as described above. The “drawing identification number” 206 associateseach Entry to one (and only one) drawing. In many cases, the field 206will correspond to field 154 in table 150. There are exceptions,however. One such exception is the example of a “subscription based”Entry, purchased with, e.g. two Wagers, valid for the five next drawingsof a game of chance. In this example, the system will store ten separaterecords in table 200, for each of the two Wagers associated with each ofthe five drawing identification numbers. As in table 150, field 206 intable 200 may for example take the form of a date or other alphanumericcode. In the field “symbols” 208, the system stores all the symbols(e.g. numbers) selected by the player (or randomly selected on behalf ofthe player) for the respective Wager. Data in this field is used topopulate the field 168 in table 150. The fields “matching Award” 210 and“payment identification number” 212 remain empty at the time ofregistration, and are only populated with data once the drawing iscompleted. This process will be explained in further detail below.

Referring now to FIG. 6, table 250 represents a preferred embodiment ofthe winning symbols database 92, as it is stored in the data storagedevice 80 (see FIG. 2). This table includes a limited number of records,i.e. one for each drawing of the game of chance. Table 250 includes anumber of fields 252 to 256. A “drawing identification number” 252 (e.g.date reference, an alphanumeric code, or a sequential numeric code)serves as a unique reference to each drawing of the Game of chance. Thissame drawing identification number is used in the field 154 of theEntries database and in field 206 of the Wagers database, therebylinking each record in these database tables to a specific drawing. Thefields “winning symbols” 254 and “bonus symbol” 256 are used to storethe winning symbols of each drawing. Depending on the structure of thegame of chance, one or several fields may be used to best store thisinformation (some games have bonus numbers, some don't).

Referring now to FIG. 7, table 300 represents a preferred embodiment ofthe awards database 94, as it is stored in the data storage device 80(see FIG. 2). This table includes a limited number of records: for eachdrawing a certain number of win statuses exist, and each win status hasan award allocated to it. These awards could always be the same, or theycould change depending on the drawing. For example, in most US statelotteries, the award for three matching numbers in a game of “6 out of49” is likely to be a fixed dollar amount. However, the award for sixmatching numbers will generally depend on the bonus pool accumulated atthe time of the drawing.

Table 300 includes a number of fields 302 to 308. A “drawingidentification number” 302 (e.g., an alphanumeric code, or a sequentialnumeric code) serves as a unique reference to each award of the game ofchance, providing a link to table 250. The “win type” 304 is a centralelement of the present invention, whereby each drawing offers multiplepossibilities to win based on either matching selections (for a singleWager) or non-matching selections (for multiple simultaneous Wagers inone Entry). This field defines those two options. The field “win status”306 defines multiple possible win statuses for each win type. Forexample, in a traditional US state lottery game of 5 out of 49 plusbonus number, win statuses (for matching selections in individualWagers) are likely to be 2 matches+bonus number, 3 matches, 3matches+bonus number, 4 matches, 4 matches plus bonus number, 5 matches,as well as 5 matches plus bonus number (i.e. the jackpot). For each ofthese win statuses, the operator of the game of chance defines the awardin field 308. This award can be fixed for each drawing (as will belikely the case for smaller award sums), or it can depend on the overallparticipation (as is generally the case for the jackpot in the exampleof U.S. state lotteries). Note that in other types of games of chance,awards may be monetary or non-monetary, and may take the form of cash,credit, coupons, certificates, merchandise, services, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a flowchart is provided to illustrate themethod and process steps necessary to operate a game of chance inaccordance with the present invention. According to one embodiment ofthe present invention, a player initiates the process—as illustrated instep 352—by purchasing an Entry to the Game of chance, and paying forthis Entry (either at a dedicated terminal 22 or via a remote device28). The operator of the game of chance then registers this Entry in itscentral data storage device 80. The process of purchase, payment andregistration Is illustrated in further detail in FIG. 9. An Entry to theGame of chance consists at a minimum of one Wager (e.g. one selection of6 symbols out of a possible 49), but it can include a multitude ofWagers on one Entry. Whether or not this Entry is eligible and enteredfor awards based on non-matching selections depends on the criteria setby the operator of the game of chance. Such criteria could include,among others: purchase of a minimum number of Wagers, random selectionof play symbols, Wagers have to be purchased simultaneously, or othercriteria.

Once all Entries have been duly registered, based on a deadline for agiven drawing set by the operator of the game of chance, the winningsymbols are drawn (step 354). These winning symbols are stored in thewinning symbols database 92, specifically in fields 254 and 256, linkedto a specific drawing identification number 252. The winning symbols arepublished in various ways, in order to communicate with the players,allowing them to compare their entries with the winning symbols. Thispublication can take the form of newspapers, radio, television, Internetor other media (e.g. in the case of U.S. state lotteries), or it cantake other verbal or written forms (e.g. in the case of a localassociation organizing a game of chance among a limited number ofmembers).

After the closing of the drawing and the identification of winningsymbols, an awards analysis is performed (step 356). The winning symbolsare compared to the symbols registered for all Entries (in the Wagersdatabase 90 and in the Entries database 88). Those Entries that qualifyfor an award are appropriately identified, and the win status and awardsearned are stored in the respective fields and records of those twodatabase tables (fields 210, 170 and 172). In accordance with thepresent invention, the total award stored in the Entries database 88(field 174) will represent the sum of all awards based on matchingselections (for all individual Wagers contained in this Entry), as wellas the award based on non-matching selections (for the combined Entry).Step 356 is illustrated and defined in further detail in FIG. 10.

Finally, as illustrated in step 358, a player can check on the winstatus of his or her Entry and claim the respective award, and theoperator pays out the respective award earned, if any. With the sum ofall awards for any given Entry stored centrally in the Entries database88, the system and process described in the present invention willautomatically identify the total award earned for a given Entry, whetherit is based on matching selections in individual Wagers or onnon-matching selections for the entire Entry. Step 358 is described anddefined in further detail in FIG. 11.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a detailed description of the process stepsnecessary to purchase, pay for, and register entries to a game ofchance, in accordance with the present invention, is provided. A playerwishing to purchase an Entry to a game of chance can do that either at adedicated terminal 22 or through a remote telecommunication device 28.The player communicates to the terminal or device the various parametersof the Entry he wishes to make, including but not limited to: number ofsimultaneous Wagers to be played, drawing (e.g. date), play symbolsselected (whether individually identified or to be randomly selected bya system on behalf of the player), etc. At this point, the player alsoselects whether or not he or she wants the Entry to qualify for awardsbased on non-matching selections (alternatively, the operator of thegame of chance may define certain criteria that—iffulfilled—automatically enter the Entry for such awards). The dedicatedor remote terminal establishes communication with the central controller20 (step 402), and the central controller 20 receives a request topurchase an Entry of at least one Wager (step 404), including theparameters described above.

At this point, the central controller 20, by running the program 82,performs a number of checks: First, in step 406, the central controlleranalyses whether the requested Entry consists of multiple Wagers on oneEntry. If the answer is no, the controller proceeds to step 414. If theanswer to the above question is yes, however, then the centralcontrollers analyzes in step 408 whether the Entry qualifies for awardsbased on non-matching selections for the entire Entry. In someinstances, this step can be left out. For example, the operator of thegame of chance may decide that all entries with five or more Wagers on aQuick-pick Entry qualify automatically for such awards. If the answer tostep 408 is no, the central controller again proceeds to step 414. Ifthe answer is “yes”, then the central controller analyzes in step 410whether the Entry has indeed been entered for awards based onnon-matching selections for the entire Entry. Again, this step can beleft out—the operator of the game of chance may have decided that allEntries that qualify for non-matching awards are automatically enteredfor such awards. Alternatively, the operator may require the player toidentify whether or not he or she wants to enter (e.g. through anadditional sense mark on a lottery form), which may also affect theprice of the Entry. In this case the central controller would analyzethis selection here in step 410. If the answer to step 410 is “no”, thenthe central controller proceeds to step 414. If the answer is yes,however, the central controller in step 412 will identify the price (oradditional charge or discount) for such a combined Entry from the pricedatabase 86, field 108. The series of checks performed in steps 406 to410 will provide the necessary criteria (104 and 106) to find the rightrecord in database 86.

Based on the above information, the central controller in step 414verifies that all Entries are valid. This may for example include acrosscheck to validate the seller terminal identification number, makingsure that there are no missing symbols, making sure that the Entry isindeed entered before the drawing date and time, etc. In step 416 thesystem stores all the payment and registration information in theEntries database 88 and the Wagers database 90. In the Entries database88, the system first creates a record in table 150, allocating it aTicket identification number 152, and storing all related information,available at this point (i.e., fields 154 to 164 or 166). Then, thesystem creates one or multiple records in the Wagers database 90, table200, linking those records for Wagers to the record previously createdin table 150 for the combined Entry through a common Ticketidentification number (152 which equals 204). For each Wager record, thesystem stores in 208 the symbols as selected (manually or randomly) bythe player. Once the system has stored a number of records in table 200equal to the number of Wagers on the Entry (field 160), the programcombines all the play symbols stored in 208, and stores all those playsymbols in field 168 of the record with the same Ticket identificationnumber (152 which equals 204). The fields 210 and 212 of the Wagersdatabase 90, as well as the fields 170-180 of the Entries database 88remain empty until the drawing of the winning symbols and the awardsanalysis.

Once all the registration information has been properly stored (step416), the central controller proceeds to step 418 and issues aregistration confirmation to the player with the ticket identificationnumber. This registration confirmation may take the form of a printedticket in a U.S. state lottery, an electronic message, a phone call, adynamic web page sent to a player who participates in a game of chanceover the Internet, or any other form that allows the player to documentthat he or she has made an Entry and what this Entry is (i.e. which playsymbols were selected). The ticket identification number on thisregistration confirmation may take the form of a number or alphanumericcode, which may or may not be machine readable. It may also be printedas a bar code or any other method of codifying a unique identificationnumber for an Entry.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a detailed description of the method andprocess steps necessary to perform an awards analysis in accordance withthe present invention is provided. Once a given drawing of a game ofchance is dosed, and the operator of chance has identified the winningsymbols for this drawing, the central controller 20, by running theprogram 82, receives and stores the winning symbols in the winningsymbols database 92 (step 452). In the next step (454), the controllerthen accesses the Wagers database 90, and identifies all the individualWagers for this drawing, based on the drawing identification numberstored in field 206. In step 456, for each of those individual Wagersrecords, the play symbols stored in field 208 are compared to thewinning play symbols for the drawing, as stored in field 254 and 256. Instep 456, the controller analyzes each Wager record to determine whetheror not the record earns an award based on matching selections.

If there is a match between the two sets of symbols that meets one ofthe criteria set in the awards database 94, the controller stores therespective award in the Wagers database record (step 458). An exampleillustrated in FIG. 7 may prove helpful: The controller is at this pointlooking for matching selections (i.e. records of individual Wagers withplay symbols that match the winning play symbols), therefore only awardsof the type “matching selection” (as defined in field 304) apply. Assumeone of the records in the Wagers database 90 has two matching symbols,plus a third symbol that matches the winning bonus symbol. Thissituation corresponds to one of the criteria set in the awards databasein field 306-(the first line illustrated in FIG. 7). The controller thenidentifies from the corresponding record in the awards database thatthis Wager qualifies for an award of $2 (as defined in field 308). Itwill go back to the Wagers database 90 and store this award amount of $2in field 210 of table 200. If in step 456 none of the play symbols matchthe winning play symbols, or—more precisely—if the number of matchesdoes not correspond to one of the criteria defined in the awardsdatabase (field 306), then the controller proceeds to the next Wagerrecord, and ultimately to step 460.

Once this awards analysis has been performed for each Wager record(steps 454 to 458), a similar set of steps is performed for all Entryrecords (steps 460 to 464). The controller accesses the Entries database88, and identifies all the Entry records for this drawing, based on thedrawing identification number stored in field 154 (step 460). In step462, for each of those Entry records, the combined play symbols storedin field 168 are compared to the winning play symbols for the drawing,as stored in fields 254 and 256. The controller analyzes each Entryrecord to determine whether or not the record earns an award based onnon-matching selections. If there is a “match” (or rather a “non-match”)between the two sets of symbols that meets one of the criteria set inthe awards database 94, the controller stores the respective award inthe Entries database record (step 464).

Again, an example illustrated in FIG. 7 may prove helpful: Thecontroller is at this point looking for non-matching selections (i.e.,records of combined Entries with play symbols that do not match any ofthe winning play symbols); therefore only awards of the type“non-matching selection” (as defined in field 304) apply. Assume one ofthe entries in the Entries database 88 consists of ten individualWagers, and not a single symbol selected in any of these ten Wagersmatches any of the winning symbols of the drawing. This situationcorresponds to one of the criteria set in the awards database in field306 (the last line illustrated in FIG. 7). The controller thenidentifies from the corresponding record in the awards database thatthis Entry qualifies for a non-matching award of $50 (as defined infield 308). It will go back to the Entries database 88 and store thisaward amount of $50 in field 172 of table 150. If in step 462 one ormore of the play symbols match the winning play symbols (i.e. the Entrydoes not fulfill any of the criteria defined in the awards database,field 306), then the controller proceeds to the next Entry record, andultimately to step 466.

Once this awards analysis has been performed for each Entry record, instep 466 the controller will once again go through all the records inthe Entries database 88 which correspond to the present drawingidentification number, and will calculate for each record a total awardfor the Entry. This occurs in two steps: First, for each Entry record,the controller will look up in the Wagers database 90 all correspondingWagers records that have the same ticket identification number (field204 corresponding to field 152), will add up the total matching awardsfor all these individual Wagers (from field 210), and will store the sumin the Entries database, field 170. Second, the controller will add upthe numbers stored in fields 170 and 172, and store the total in field174.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a detailed description of the method andprocess steps necessary to process an awards payout in accordance withthe present invention is provided. In the example of a U.S. statelottery, checking the win status can occur either by comparing thesymbols selected to the winning symbols published in the media(newspaper, radio, television, Internet or other). Or the player canpresent his or her Entry confirmation to an authorized reseller (e.g. aconvenience store). A dedicated terminal 22 of the authorized reseller,or a remote terminal 28, will establish a communication with the centralcontroller (step 502). The central controller then receives a request todetermine the win status and potential payout of an Entry to this gameof chance (step 504). The Ticket identification number of the Entrypresented at the point of sale is communicated to the centralcontroller, and in step 506, the controller locates the correspondingEntry record in the Entries database 88. Field 174 of this databasecontains a total award earned for this Entry (including both awardsbased on matching selections for individual Wagers and/or an award basedon non-matching selections for the Entry as a whole). In step 508, thecontroller analyzes this Entry record to determine whether or not therecord earns an award. If there is an award still to be paid out forthis entry, the controller will issue payment instructions to thereseller at the authorized point of sale (step 512).

In the case of a U.S. state lottery, the reseller will issue the paymentto the player, and in a further communication between the dedicatedterminal and the central controller (step 514), information relating tothe payment is communicated back to the central controller and stored inthe Entries database 150. This information could, for example, includepayment date and time (field 180), the paying terminal identificationnumber (field 178), as well as a payment identification number itself(field 176). If in step 508, the controller determines that the Entrypresented at the point of sales has not earned any awards, the resellerat the authorized point of sales is instructed to inform the player (orticket holder) that the Entry presented is not a winner.

In the example of a U.S. state lottery, the operator will often define apayout threshold. Awards below that threshold may be paid out byresellers at authorized points of sale. For awards above this threshold,the operator has to be contacted directly. In other examples (e.g. inthe case of a local association organizing a game of chance among alimited number of members), all entries will be presented immediately tothe operator of the game, and payouts (whether monetary or not), will bedone at that point.

FIG. 12 provides a graphic illustration of the one-tailed probabilitydistribution of a traditional game of chance, compared with thetwo-tailed probability distribution of a game of chance consistent withthe present invention. Graph 550 illustrates the probability of matching1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 symbols in a traditional “6 out of 49” lotteryWager. For each individual Wager, the odds of matching one symbol arefairly high, while the odds of matching all six symbols are extremelylow. Correspondingly, the payouts are initially 0, but increaseexponentially. It is important to note here that the probabilitydistribution is one-tailed. A game of chance operated in accordance withthe present invention, however, has a two-tailed probabilitydistribution (as shown on Graph 552): The odds of matching 1, 2, 3, 4, 5and 6 symbols in an individual Wager remain intact (right portion of thecurve). In addition, each player who participates with multiple Wagerssimultaneously on one Entry also has a probability of winning based onnon-matching selections (left portion of the curve). Similar to above,the odds of have no single matching symbol on an Entry of one Wager arefairly high. However, these odds decrease rapidly, and for an Entryconsisting of 20 to 25 simultaneous Wagers, they are extremely low. Thisallows the operator of the game of chance to offer potentiallysignificant additional payouts based on the number of Wagers played,thus potentially increasing participation in the game.

It is to be understood and appreciated that the invention is not limitedto the particular embodiments herein disclosed and illustrated, butcomprises modifications and other embodiments obvious to persons skilledin the art that are within the scope of the following claims.

1. A method of operating a lottery or lottery-style game of chance inwhich one or more players may play one or more wagers each comprising aplayer selecting m play symbols out of a set of n play symbols, witheach player having the option of playing p wagers simultaneously in oneentry, and the result of playing the wagers being determined by a randomdrawing of m winning play symbols out of said set of n play symbols by acentral authority and comparing the m winning play symbols with eachplayer's selection of m play symbols for a wager to determine a winningwager; said method further comprising the steps of: generating a “pwagers indicator” identifying as a group (entry) p wagers playedsimultaneously by a player, eligible for an award based on non-matchingselections; storing each entry of p wagers played simultaneously and therelated p wagers indicator on a central server operated by a centralauthority; comparing the m winning play symbols of said random drawingwith each entry of p wagers played simultaneously that are identified bysaid p wagers indicator and declaring as a winner each entry of p wagersplayed simultaneously that are identified by said p wagers indicator ifsaid entry of p wagers consists collectively of no more than x playsymbols matching said m winning play symbols, where x is 0 or apredetermined number less than m; and calculating an award value forsaid winning entry or entries.
 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein:an entry of p wagers played simultaneously and eligible for an awardbased on non-matching selections can be purchased for multiple (q)drawings; said entry to include and identify in said p wagers indicatorif the entry is to represent p entries for q drawings in the game ofchance; said entry to be declared a winning entry if collectively nomore than x play symbols matched the winning play symbols of q drawings,where x is 0 or a predetermined number less than m.
 3. A methodaccording to claim 1 wherein the playing of a wager is evidenced byissuance of an identifying confirmation (e.g. a printed ticket, anelectronic message, a dynamic web page, a sense mark form, or anotherconfirmation) and each entry of p wagers played simultaneously isevidenced by a single combined confirmation, and further includingstoring with each wager and entry a date and a unique identifyingnumber, and storing with each winning wager and winning entry of pwagers played simultaneously as evidenced by a single combinedconfirmation a winning date and an award value.
 4. A method according toclaim 1 further including the identification of additional winningindividual wagers with less than m matching symbols (m-1, m-2, etc.) andadditional winning entries for p multiple wagers played simultaneouswith collectively more than 0 matching symbols (1, 2, etc.), andcalculating corresponding additional award values.
 5. A method accordingto claim 1 further including charging a fee for playing each wager, withthe total fee for an entry consisting of a group of p wagers playedsimultaneously and eligible for an award based on non-matchingselections being based in part on said p wagers indicator; whereincalculating said fee includes the steps of: determining a plurality ofpotential payouts of said game of chance, based on the number ofmatching play symbols in each wager; determining a plurality ofpotential payouts of said same of chance, based on the number ofnon-matching play symbols in one or more of p entries represented by a pwagers indicator; determining a total number for said plurality of saidpayouts and a value for each of said plurality of potential payouts;determining the probability of each of said plurality of potentialpayouts; and calculating said fee for each wager and each entry of pwagers played simultaneously at least in part on said determined totalnumber and said determined probability.
 6. A method according to claim 1wherein all entries are comprised of a minimum of p wagers playedsimultaneously.
 7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the playsymbols of said multiple p wagers played simultaneously and identifiedby a p wagers indicator consist at least in some instances of playsymbols randomly generated on behalf of the player.
 8. A methodaccording to claim 1 wherein said central authority: receives a requestto purchase play of one or more wagers played simultaneously (an entry),with the request identifying the m play symbols for each wager played;stores said request on a central server, receives with said requests anindicator whether said request is for multiple (p) wagers playedsimultaneously and eligible for an award based on the number of playsymbols in said multiple wagers that do not match the m play symbolsdetermined by said random drawing; and provides a confirmation ofreceipt of said request.
 9. A method according to claim 1 wherein saidcentral authority: receives a request (e.g. verbally, by telephone,electronically, in writing, on a sense mark form or through other means)for the win/loss status of one or more entries, said request to includesaid p wagers indicator; outputs data (e.g. verbally, by telephone,electronically, in writing, on a sense mark form or through other means)identifying the status of said one or more entries, such data includingthe date of purchase of the entry, the date of the drawing(s), whetheror not said entry constitutes a winning entry, and the value of theaward.
 10. An apparatus for operating a game of chance, comprising amemory and a processor to which the memory is connected; said memoryserving as a store for the following: the result of a random drawing ofm play symbols from a set of n play symbols; a plurality of wagersplayed by one or more players, each wager comprising a selection of mplay symbols out of a set of n play symbols; identifying numbersselected by a central authority identifying each individual wager andeach entry (group) of p wagers played simultaneously by a player; and a“p wagers indicator” for each entry of p wagers played simultaneously,eligible for an award based on non-matching selections; and saidprocessor being operative to: determine if a stored individual wager hasall m play symbols matching said m winning play symbols of said result;identify a stored entry of p wagers played simultaneously as a winningentry if collectively said p wagers of said stored entry have no morethan x play symbols matching said m winning play symbols, where x is 0or a predetermined number less than m.
 11. An apparatus according toclaim 10 wherein said memory is further operative to store: an entry ofp wagers played simultaneously and eligible for an award based onnon-matching selections for multiple (q) drawings of the game of chance;said entry to include and identify in said p wagers indicator if theentry is to represent p entries for q drawings in the game of chance;and said processor being operative to determine an entry as a winningentry if collectively no more than x play symbols matched the winningplay symbols of q drawings, where x is 0 or a predetermined number lessthan m.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said processorgenerates an identifying confirmation (e.g. a printed ticket, anelectronic message, a dynamic web page, a sense mark form, or anotherconfirmation), where each entry of p wagers played simultaneously isevidenced by a single combined confirmation, wherein said memory storesa date and said identifying confirmation for each individual wager andeach entry as a group of p wagers played simultaneously by a player, andalso stores with each winning wager and each winning entry a winningdate and an award value.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 10 whereinsaid processor is further operative to identify additional individualwinning wagers with less than m matching symbols (m-1, m-2, etc.) andadditional winning entries of p multiple wagers played simultaneouslywith collectively more than 0 matching symbols (1, 2, etc.), saidprocessor also being operative to calculate the corresponding additionalaward values.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein saidprocessor is further operative to calculate a fee for each wager, withthe total fee for an entry consisting of a group of p wagers playedsimultaneously and eligible for an award based on non-matchingselections being based in part on said p wagers indicator, saidprocessor being operative to calculate said fee through the steps of:determining a plurality of potential payouts of said game of chance,based on the number of matching play symbols in each wager; determininga plurality of potential payouts of said same of chance, based on thenumber of non-matching play symbols in one or more of p entriesrepresented by a p wagers indicator; determining a total number for saidplurality of said payouts and a value for each of said plurality ofpotential payouts; determining the probability of each of said pluralityof potential payouts; and calculating said fee for each wager and eachentry of p wagers played simultaneously at least in part on saiddetermined total number and said determined probability.
 15. Anapparatus according to claim 10 wherein all entries are comprised of aminimum of p wagers played simultaneously.
 16. An apparatus according toclaim 10 wherein the play symbols of said multiple p wagers playedsimultaneously and identified by said p wagers indicator consist atleast in some instances of play symbols randomly generated on behalf ofthe player.
 17. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said game ofchance is operated by a central authority, said processor beingoperative to: receive a request (e.g. verbally, by telephone,electronically, in writing, on a sense mark form or through other means)to purchase play of one or more wagers played simultaneously (an entry),with the request identifying the m play symbols for each wager played;transmit said request to the remote central authority; store saidrequest on a central server; receive with said requests an indicatorwhether said request is for multiple (p) wagers played simultaneouslyand eligible for an award based on the number of play symbols in saidmultiple wagers that do not match the m play symbols determined by saidrandom drawing; and providing a confirmation of receipt of said request.18. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said processor isoperative to: receive a request (e.g. verbally, by telephone,electronically, in writing, on a sense mark form or through other means)for the win/loss status of one or more entries, said request to includesaid p wagers indicator; output data (e.g. verbally, by telephone,electronically, in writing, on a sense mark form or through other means)identifying the status of said one or more entries, such data includingthe date of purchase of the entry, the date of the drawing(s), whetheror not said entry constitutes a winning entry, and the value of theaward.
 19. An apparatus for operating a game of chance comprising: meansfor receiving the result of a random drawing of m winning play symbolsfrom a set of n play symbols; means for storing a plurality of wagersplayed by one or more players with each wager comprising a selection ofm play symbols from said set of n play symbols; means for identifyingall stored wagers played by one or more players and distinguishingentries (groups) of p wagers played simultaneously by a player andeligible for an award based on non-matching selections from other storedwagers by a “p wagers indicator”; means for comparing said result tosaid stored wagers and determining if an individual stored wagercomprises all m winning play symbols, declaring said individual wager awinning wager; means for comparing said result to said stored wagers anddetermining if an entry of p wagers played simultaneously by a player(and identified by a p wagers indicator) collectively comprises amaximum of x symbols matching the m winning play symbols of said result,where x is 0 or a predetermined number less than m, and declaring saidentry a winning entry.
 20. An apparatus according to claim 19 furtherincluding: means for storing an entry of p wagers played simultaneouslyand eligible for an award based on non-matching selections for multiple(q) drawings of the game of chance; means for including and identifyingin said p wagers indicator if the entry is to represent p entries for qdrawings in the game of chance; and means for determining an entry as awinning entry if collectively no more than x play symbols matched thewinning play symbols of q drawings, where x is 0 or a predeterminednumber less than m.
 21. An apparatus according to claim 19 furtherincluding means for generating an identifying confirmation (e.g. aprinted ticket, an electronic message, a dynamic web page, a sense markform, or another confirmation), where each entry of p wagers playedsimultaneously is evidenced by a single identifying confirmation,storing a date and said identifying confirmation for each individualwager and each entry as a group of p wagers played simultaneously by aplayer, and also storing with each winning wager and each winning entrya winning date and an award value.
 22. An apparatus according to claim19 further including means for the identification of additional winningindividual wagers with less than m matching symbols (m-1, m-2, etc.) andadditional winning entries for p multiple wagers played simultaneouswith collectively more than 0 matching symbols (1, 2, etc.), and meansfor calculating corresponding additional award values.
 23. An apparatusaccording to claim 19 further including means for calculating a fee forplaying each wager, with the total fee for an entry consisting of agroup of p wagers played simultaneously and eligible for an award basedon non-matching selections being based in part on said p wagersindicator; said calculation of said fee to include the steps of:determining a plurality of potential payouts of said game of chance,based on the number of matching play symbols in each wager; determininga plurality of potential payouts of said same of chance, based on thenumber of non-matching play symbols in one or more of p entriesrepresented by a p wagers indicator; determining a total number for saidplurality of said payouts and a value for each of said plurality ofpotential payouts; determining the probability of each of said pluralityof potential payouts; and calculating said fee for each wager and eachentry of p wagers played simultaneously at least in part on saiddetermined total number and said determined probability.
 24. Anapparatus according to claim 19 wherein all entries are comprised of aminimum of p wagers played simultaneously.
 25. An apparatus according toclaim 19 further including means to—at least in some instances—randomlygenerate play symbols on behalf of the player for entries of multiple pwagers played simultaneously and identified by a p wagers indicator. 26.An apparatus according to claim 19 further comprising: means for acentral authority operating the game to chance to receive a request(e.g. verbally, by telephone, electronically, in writing, on a sensemark form or through other means) to purchase play of one or more wagersplayed simultaneously (an entry), with the request identifying the mplay symbols for each wager played; means to transmit said request tosaid remote central authority; store said request on a central server;receive with said requests an indicator whether said request is formultiple (p) wagers played simultaneously and eligible for an awardbased on the number of play symbols in said multiple wagers that do notmatch the m play symbols determined by said random drawing; andproviding a confirmation of receipt of said request.
 27. An apparatusaccording to claim 19 further comprising: means to receive a request(e.g. verbally, by telephone, electronically, in writing, on a sensemark form or through other means) for the win/loss status of one or moreentries, said request to include said p wagers indicator; means tooutput data (e.g. verbally, by telephone, electronically, in writing, ona sense mark form or through other means) identifying the status of saidone or more entries, such data including the date of purchase of theentry, the date of the drawing(s), whether or not said entry constitutesa winning entry, and the value of the award.
 28. A computer useablemedium having a computer program thereon for operating a game of chance,said computer program comprising: program code for receiving the resultof a random drawing of m winning play symbols from a set of n playsymbols; program code for storing a plurality of wagers each comprisinga selection of m play symbols out of a set of n play symbols; programcode for storing a “p wagers indicator” characterizing an entry as agroup of p wagers played simultaneously by a player, eligible for anaward based on non-matching selections; program code for comparing the mwinning play symbols of said result to a plurality of stored individualwagers and determining which, if any, of said stored wagers has m playsymbols matching the m winning play symbols; program code foridentifying each stored individual wager having m play symbols thatmatch the m winning play symbols as a winning wager; program code forcomparing the m winning play symbols of said result to each entry of pwagers played simultaneously by a player (as identified by a p wagersindicator) and determining if said entry collectively has a maximum of xplay symbols matching the m winning play symbols, where x is 0 or apredetermined number less than m; and program code for identifying eachsaid entry representing a group of p wagers played simultaneously by aplayer that has a maximum of x play symbols matching the winning m playsymbols as a winning entry.
 29. A computer useable medium according toclaim 28 wherein said program further includes: program code foridentifying an entry of p wagers played simultaneously and eligible foran award based on non-matching selections for multiple (q) drawings ofthe game of chance; program code for including and identifying in said pwagers indicator if the entry is to represent p entries for q drawingsin the game of chance; and program code for determining an entry as awinning entry if collectively no more than x play symbols matched thewinning play symbols of q drawings, where x is 0 or a predeterminednumber less than m.
 30. A computer useable medium according to claim 28wherein said program includes program code operative to generate anidentifying confirmation (e.g. a printed ticket, an electronic message,a dynamic web page, a sense mark form, or another confirmation), whereeach entry of p wagers played simultaneously is evidenced by a singlecombined confirmation; to store with each wager and group of p wagersplayed simultaneously a date and a unique identifying number; and tostore with each winning wager and each winning group of p wagers playedsimultaneously a winning date and an award value.
 31. A computer useablemedium according to claim 28 wherein said program has program code thatis operative to identify additional winning wagers with less than mmatching symbols (m-1, m-2, etc.) and additional winning entries for pmultiple wagers played simultaneous with collectively more than 0matching symbols (1, 2, etc.), and to calculate corresponding additionalaward values.
 32. A computer useable medium according to claim 28wherein said program further includes program code operative tocalculate a fee for each wager, with the total fee for an entryconsisting a group of p wagers played simultaneously by a player andeligible for an award based on non-matching selections being based inpart on said p wagers indicator; said program code being operative tocalculate said fee to include the steps of: determining a plurality ofpotential payouts of said game of chance, based on the number ofmatching play symbols in each wager; determining a plurality ofpotential payouts of said same of chance, based on the number ofnon-matching play symbols in one or more of p entries represented by a pwagers indicator; determining a total number for said plurality of saidpayouts and a value for each of said plurality of potential payouts;determining the probability of each of said plurality of potentialpayouts; and calculating said fee for each wager and each entry of pwagers played simultaneously at least in part on said determined totalnumber and said determined probability.
 33. A computer useable mediumaccording to claim 28 wherein said program code is operative to onlyprocess entries to the game of chance which are comprised of a minimumof p wagers played simultaneously.
 34. A computer useable mediumaccording to claim 28 wherein said program includes program codeoperative to—at least in some instances—randomly generate play symbolson behalf of the player for entries of multiple p wagers playedsimultaneously and identified by a p wagers indicator.
 35. A computeruseable medium according to claim 28 wherein said program includesprogram code operative to: receive a request (e.g. verbally, bytelephone, electronically, in writing, on a sense mark form or throughother means) to purchase play of one or more wagers playedsimultaneously (an entry), with the request identifying the m playsymbols for each wager played; transmit said request to a remote centralauthority operating the game of chance; store said request on a centralserver; receive with said requests an indicator whether said request isfor multiple (p) wagers played simultaneously and eligible for an awardbased on the number of play symbols in said multiple wagers that do notmatch the m play symbols determined by said random drawing; andproviding a confirmation of receipt of said request.
 36. A computeruseable medium according to claim 28 wherein said program includesprogram code operative to: receive a request (e.g. verbally, bytelephone, electronically, in writing, on a sense mark form or throughother means) for the win/loss status of one or more entries, saidrequest to include said p wagers indicator; output data (e.g. verbally,by telephone, electronically, in writing, on a sense mark form orthrough other means) identifying the status of said one or more entries,such data including the date of purchase of the entry, the date of thedrawing(s), whether or not said entry constitutes a winning entry, andthe value of the award.